All-electric irrigation systems with pump motors of 20 horsepower (hp) and larger may qualify for an incentive after you improve its efficiency.
Products eligible:
- Installing new nozzle or sprinkler packages
- Replacing pressure regulators
- Reducing system pressures
- Replacing delivery system
- Installing variable rate irrigation systems
- Replacing or refurbishing pumps
Incentives up to $0.10 per kWh saved on an annual basis may be available. If you don’t see your project listed above, contact SPPD to see if you qualify. Additional program terms and conditions apply.
Guidelines:
The EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency Program offers financial incentives for improvements to irrigation systems and their operation that provide verifiable electrical energy savings. In addition, the program provides up to $350 for the cost of an irrigation pumping system efficiency test for eligible electrically powered water pumps that are 20 horsepower or larger.
Customer Eligibility
Eligibility extends to all customers of Nebraska’s electric utilities participating in the EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency Program whose irrigation system is primarily used for crop production. Incentives are available to any eligible electric irrigation pumping account holder that utilizes a pump 20 HP or greater.
Energy savings will be validated through application of any of the four options defined and supported under the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). In practical terms, this is most often done by comparing pre- and post-improvement pumping system efficiency tests or annual billing histories. Other methods are up to the approval of the EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency Program Administrator and the local utility. Approval for alternative validation approaches must be sought prior to the implementation of energy saving measures.
Process
To apply for a EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency Program incentive, customers should first contact their local utility to confirm eligibility and obtain an EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency Program data collection form. If appropriate, the local electric utility will inform the customer whether they are eligible for up to $350 for reimbursement of costs to have a Pumping System Efficiency Test performed. Results of these tests are to be collected on the EnergyWise℠ Irrigation Pump Test Form. Participating electric utilities also reserve the right to limit the number of incented Pumping System Efficiency Tests.
If the customer has a Pumping System Efficiency Test performed with the intention of requesting up to $350 for reimbursement of the costs to perform the testing, the test must include the overall pumping plant efficiency (OPE) in terms of water horsepower output divided by energy horsepower input. Results of the Pumping System Efficiency Test results must be shared with the local utility using the EnergyWise℠ Irrigation Pump Test Form.
If validation is established through annual billing histories, at least one full irrigation season’s energy consumption must be provided before any efficiency measures are implemented. Another billing history reflecting one full season of energy consumption will be required before energy savings can be calculated and an incentive can be paid.
A copy of the invoice(s) associated with the improvements must be submitted to SPPD prior to calculating final incentives. In no case will the EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency incentive exceed 50% of improvement costs.
Incentive Calculation and Payment
Incentives are based on the calculated annual energy (kWh) savings times the EnergyWise℠ Custom Irrigation Efficiency incentive rate of $0.10 / kWh. The local electric utility and Nebraska Public Power District reserve the right to audit post-retrofit pump tests at their discretion using an independent pump tester.
